BOYD, MINNESOTA
Classic sled a Challenger
This vintage sled enthusiast from Boyd, Minnesota really took on a challenge
by VERNON MACHT
 |
LIVING UP TO ITS NAME: The biggest challenge was trying to find headlight covers and a windshield.
—photo courtesy Vernon Macht |
I bought this sled for $50 from a guy in Duluth, Minnesota, off of Ebay back in 2002. It took me two years to completely restore it because I took every bolt and part off of it and did it right.
The sled was not in too bad of shape—there weren't any dents, rust or hood damage. I had the seat recovered. The biggest challenge was finding headlight covers and a windshield, until I found out about Jeff Haugen—a guy in Minnesota that makes windshields and headlight covers. Luckily, he had a hood in the grove that had a windshield so he copied it and made light covers off of his hood.
The decals were made by a local shop. They took pictures of the old decals and copied them out on a computer and matched them perfectly.
The motor needed the points cleaned and set and a carburetor kit. It runs excellent. The only driving it gets is from my trailer to shows. I take it to the show in Waconia, Minnesota and Millbank, South Dakota, and pull it to parades and car shows.
I enjoy fixing up the old sleds but it gets kind of expensive so I do a little at a time. The biggest cost of restoring is the body work and painting. I get them professionally painted because I feel I can't paint well enough.
I have also restored a 1971 Johnson Rampage. My dad's first sled was a Johnson so that is why I am into them. I have 10 Johnson sleds that all run.
I picked this sled because I have never seen one fixed up at vintage sled shows and this sled was only made in the year 1969. It is the only sled that Johnson did not use their OMC engine, but used a single cylinder JLO 300.
|
